The present study analyzed 58 patients with submandibular gland tumors treated from April 1988 to March 2008 at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Tokyo Medical University Hospital. Forty six tumors were benign and were all pleomorphic adenoma. Twelve tumors were malignant. Six of the malignant tumors were adenoid cystic carcinoma.
The two patients with the malignant tumors had tenderness as a clinical sign. Even if the tumor was small, we should regard tenderness as a malignant sign.
Surgical complications were found in 36.2%, comprising facial nerve paralysis, dysgeusia and numbness of the tongue. Facial nerve paralysis which developed in the benign tumors was temporary. Permanent paralysis was noted in 33.3% in the malignant tumors.
Some of the tumors with low malignancy recurred or developed distant metastasis. Our findings suggest that we cannot control even low malignancy tumors with surgery alone and we need strict follow-up after surgery.
